If I'm really tired, I don't make significant decisions (except in
emergencies).

If someone is pressing me to decide something "right now," unless an
immediate decision is critical, I say, "If I have to decide now, the
answer is no. After I have had a chance to catch my breath and review the
facts, there's the possibility it could be yes." Then I put the ball back
in his or her court and ask, "Do you want my decision now, or should we
wait?"

I like to determine the maximum benefit of a decision, assuming that
everything goes my way. Then I ask, "Suppose nothing goes my way? Suppose
this doesn't develop and materialize as I expect it to? What is my maximum
exposure? What would I lose?"

For significant business-related decisions, I run them past my
advisors. These people are successful in their businesses and professions
and have a considerable amount of knowledge, experience, and wisdom, all
of which are musts in the decision-making process. I get their advice and
follow their recommendations, with good results in most cases. If the
decision is too minor to involve my advisors but I still want input, I get
my family together to look at the pros and cons.

I like to pray about my decisions. I ask God to help me see the truth
of my motives and to lead me in the way I should go. If I'm about to make
an unwise decision, I simply don't have peace about that decision, and I
consequently act on that feeling of unease. I ask myself, "How will this
decision affect all the areas of my life—personal, family, career,
financial, physical, mental and spiritual?" Obviously, not all decisions
affect all areas, but if the decision involves a financial reward but also
carries considerable family sacrifice, for example, I think carefully as
to whether what I give up is compensated for by what I gain.

One final note: Prioritize your decisions. Some are more urgent than
others!